leaky ironhead
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
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leaky ironhead
ok here it is i just bought a 75 ironhead and it leaks oil a little bit everywhere it seems like most of the leak is coming from the rear cylinder rocker cover .The guy that built the bike just rebuilt the motor he resurfaced the heads, bore the jugs and put andrews y cams in. as for that leak he says he used every gasket and sealer know to man and it just wont stop leaking is this bs or not the bike also has copper oil return lines and it seems to be leaking out of the fittings but they have teflon and are tight. what could be the problem should i take it to a old school harley machanic . the guys also told me not to waste the time fixing the oil leak because it would be a waste of time and money
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ
Honestly...just keep some extra oil handy and ride the ****er.
Some people I know with IH choppers and Shovelheads leave puddles every damn where when we go out riding. Old Flatheads, Pans, and Knucks do it too. Over time heat just slowly deforms the metal and sometimes things get put back together perfectly, but aren't perfect themselves.
The only thing you can really do is constantly re-seal it, or try and find some better condition heads/rocker covers. As far as fittings, just take em all off, run up to the hardware store, and find some shiny new brass ones if you can. If the lines are pretty nasty, replace them with some nice new copper tubing also. It looks really nice and will probably help solve some of your leaking issues, too
.
Some people I know with IH choppers and Shovelheads leave puddles every damn where when we go out riding. Old Flatheads, Pans, and Knucks do it too. Over time heat just slowly deforms the metal and sometimes things get put back together perfectly, but aren't perfect themselves.
The only thing you can really do is constantly re-seal it, or try and find some better condition heads/rocker covers. As far as fittings, just take em all off, run up to the hardware store, and find some shiny new brass ones if you can. If the lines are pretty nasty, replace them with some nice new copper tubing also. It looks really nice and will probably help solve some of your leaking issues, too
.
Last edited by 6o66er; Jan 13, 2009 at 11:27 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
An old-school ironhead mechanic will know how to stop the leaks. At least until they start leaking again. One thing I was told was to stick with "old tried and true" gaskets, seals, etc. Don't go in for any of the new, wiz-bang teflon materials that supposedly self seal and never need replacing.
Right now my 75 needs a new rear rocker cover gasket, the rocker shaft o ring seals leak sometimes, sometimes not. It's also blowing a little oil out from underneath the crankcase at the vent.
The trick to keeping your bike leak free is to ride it. Keep the gaskets, seals, orings, etc. "wet" and it will leak less. Leaving an ironhead sitting around in the garage, besides being a sin, is one of the worst things you can do to it.
Right now my 75 needs a new rear rocker cover gasket, the rocker shaft o ring seals leak sometimes, sometimes not. It's also blowing a little oil out from underneath the crankcase at the vent.
The trick to keeping your bike leak free is to ride it. Keep the gaskets, seals, orings, etc. "wet" and it will leak less. Leaving an ironhead sitting around in the garage, besides being a sin, is one of the worst things you can do to it.
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